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View from Porthminster beach to St Ives, Cornwall. 1903
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Cornwall Museum
View from Porthminster beach to St Ives, Cornwall. 1903
View from Porthminster beach looking towards St Ives railway station on the left of the picture and the harbour in the distance. A fishing lugger is leaving harbour beating out to sea under a stiff breeze. Note the capstans used for hauling fishing vessels up the beach. Large pieces of timber called capstan arms would be inserted into the square holes at the top. Rope attached to the vessels bow would be passed around the capstan drum and men would push the arms around to haul the boat up the beach. This would normally be done at high tide to get the boat to the highest point of the beach and safely away from any heavy seas crashing onto the beach. Photographer: John Charles Burrow
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : IVSpm.3
Media ID 12083062
© From the collection of the RIC
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back in time to the picturesque Porthminster beach in Cornwall, circa 1903. The view from this vantage point offers a glimpse of St Ives railway station on the left, while the enchanting harbor lies in the distance. A fishing lugger can be seen departing from the harbor, gracefully navigating through the choppy waters under a stiff breeze. What catches our attention are the capstans dotting the sandy beach. These large timber structures were essential for hauling fishing vessels up onto land. Capstan arms, inserted into square holes at their tops, provided leverage as ropes attached to each boat's bow were wound around capstan drums. Men would then push these arms with all their might to haul each vessel safely away from crashing waves during high tide. The photographer behind this remarkable snapshot is John Charles Burrow, whose lens beautifully captures both the natural beauty of Cornwall and its industrious fishing culture during Edwardian times. As we gaze upon this image frozen in time, we are transported back to an era when hardworking fishermen braved rough seas and strong winds to provide for their communities. This print serves as a poignant reminder of Cornwall's rich maritime heritage and invites us to reflect on how much has changed since those bygone days.
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